Gambier - Laken G. Staats, 89, of New Castle Rd., died Thursday June 2, 2011 at his residence.
He was born April 23, 1922 in Jelloway to Nettie (Carpenter) and Calvin Staats. He was a 1939 graduate of Danville High School. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army for 3 A½ years, serving in the south Pacific at Okinawa with the Aviation Engineer Batallion Headquarters as a typist.
He was a member, for over 50 years, of the Howard United Methodist Church, a 60 year member of the Masonic Lodge #199, and the Harrison Grange, and was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons, and the Danville American Legion Auxiliary. He was a lifelong farmer on a 230 acre farm, and retired from Cooper-Bessemer after 28 years. He also worked at the Farm Bureau Co-op in Howard and the Ashland Gas Company.
Laken is survived by his wife; Ilah Jean (Nyhart) Staats, who he married on November 27, 1944, children; Beverly Davis of Mount Vernon, and Duane Staats of Westerville, grandchildren; Todd (Lindsay) Davis of Mount Vernon, Cinda (Daniel) Stutzman of Bowling Green, Kelly Staats of Florence, KY, and Kevin Staats of Westerville, great grandchildren; Ethan and Lily Davis, and Alex and Olivia Stutzman, and a step sister; Janice (Charles) Barnes of Ashland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother; Robert Staats.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday June 6, 2011 at the Howard United Methodist Church, 23212 Coshocton Road Howard. Pastors Lee Cubie and Tom Orr will officiate. Burial, with graveside military rites from the Knox County Joint Veterans Council, will follow in Wesley Chapel Cemetery near Danville. Calling hours will be from 2- 4:30 on Sunday at the Fischer Funeral Home in Danville, followed by a Masonic service.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Howard U.M.C.; PO Box 95 Howard 43028, or to Hospice of Knox County; 17700 Coshocton Rd. Mt. Vernon 43050.
